The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested a lawyer, Ekere Sunday Ebong, accused of assaulting his wife, identified as Kufre.
The police said the 55-year-old lawyer was arrested following a viral video where he was seen assaulting his wife and causing her bodily injury.
In the video, which showed that the incident happened in the night, the suspect was seen assaulting his wife who was half dressed. The suspect repeatedly hit his wife while demanding for keys, despite appeals from neighbours who cautioned him.
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However, respite came for the blood-stained woman when neighbours her and gave her a wrapper while her husband locked her out of their house.
One of the neighbours, who was heard asking the man why he beat the wife every night, asked the woman to stay in his house.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, said in a press release on Monday in Uyo that the suspect was a habitual wife beater and would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded on the matter.
The statement noted, “In a video that went viral, the suspect assaulted his wife, dehumanised her, leading to various grievous injuries. He is a known habitual perpetrator of violent acts against his wife over the years.
“As an agency saddled with the protection of lives and property and maintenance of law and order, we cannot allow Barrister Ebong to continue this flagrant abuse of human rights. Hence, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, ordered the arrest of the suspect to prevent murder and breakdown of law and order.
“The CP has warned perpetrators of violent crimes in the state to desist forthwith while urging family members to endeavour to resolve disputes amicably rather than resorting to violent attacks.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has condemned the assault on Mrs Kufre Ebong.
The group said it was unfortunate and disappointing that the incident happened a few days after the advocacy on gender-based violence.
A press release signed by NAWOJ Chairperson, Nsikak Okon, and Secretary, Patience John, described Ekere Ebong as a disappointment to his profession and family, while calling for his prosecution.
The statement partly read, “The action of Barrister Ekere Ebong, who is a lawyer by profession and should clearly know what the law states on such untoward incident, is a clear disappointment to himself, his family and career as a practicing lawyer. At the level of his profession, Barrister Ekere Ebong should be vested with the advocacy against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the VAPP law that prohibits such acts as signed and domesticated in Akwa Ibom State.
“Akwa Ibom State NAWOJ, therefore, calls on law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies, including FIDA, to ensure justice is done and bring the culprit to face the full weight of the law without any slight of pardon in order to serve as a deterrent to others within that fold.
“We commend members of the public, especially the neighbours, for exposing this act of brutish character and appeal for support towards the course of protecting women from such persons.”
